A little bear named Benny discovers the magic of bedtime routines with the help of a friendly firefly named Flicker.
Age Recommendation
0 – 4 years
Characters
Characters:
- Benny (a curious little bear with fluffy fur)
- Flicker (a glowing firefly with a warm, friendly light)
Story
Once upon a time, in a cozy forest, there lived a little bear named Benny. Benny loved to play all day long, but when it was time for bed, he felt a bit lonely. One night, as Benny lay in his bed, he noticed a soft glow in his room. It was Flicker, the friendly firefly, who had come to visit.
The magic of bedtime
Benny watched as Flicker danced around the room, lighting up the dark corners with his gentle glow. “Why do you shine so bright?” Benny asked. Flicker answered, “I light up the night to keep little bears like you company.” Benny smiled and felt a little less lonely.
A glowing friend
Flicker showed Benny how to make bedtime fun. Together, they counted the stars outside and listened to the gentle rustle of the leaves. Benny felt his eyes getting heavy, and he yawned a big bear yawn. “It’s nice having a friend like you, Flicker,” Benny said, his eyes closing.
Sweet dreams
With Flicker’s warm light beside him, Benny drifted into a sweet sleep filled with dreams of glowing stars and fluttering fireflies. The forest seemed to hug Benny, and he knew he would always have a friend in the night.
The end.
Moral of the Story
The story teaches that bedtime routines with a friend can make nighttime feel safe and special.
Questions to Think About
- What makes Flicker special?
- How does Benny feel about bedtime?
- Why is it important to have friends like Flicker?
- What do you think Benny dreams about?
- How can you make your bedtime routine fun?
Do You Know
- Fireflies communicate with light to find friends and keep company.
- Bears hibernate in the winter, which is like a very long nap!
Word Explorer
- Glow: A soft, steady light that shines gently.
- Routine: Things you do regularly in the same way.
- Dream: Stories and pictures that your mind creates while you sleep.
Emotions in the Story
- Loneliness: Benny felt this when he was alone at bedtime.
- Happiness: Benny felt happy when Flicker visited him.
- Comfort: Benny felt comforted by Flicker’s warm glow.
Color Your Scene
Imagine Benny’s room with Flicker flying around. Draw the room with soft blues and yellows to show the night and Flicker’s glow. Add stars outside the window and a cozy bed for Benny.
Parents’ Corner
This story is a great way to talk to your child about:
- Bedtime routines: Discuss how having a routine can make bedtime a comforting and enjoyable time.
- Friendship: Talk about the importance of having friends who make us feel safe and happy.
- Imagination: Encourage your child to use their imagination to create their own bedtime stories.
- Overcoming fears: Discuss how having a friend can help us feel less afraid of the dark.